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Poster - Textual or Investigative

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Illegal small-scale mining popularly called “galamsey” in Ghana involves the practice of illicit mining and extracting gold from the surface or below the soil usually through unregulated methods such as the use of dangerous chemicals. Though this practice has been a major source of livelihood for many rural families in Ghana, it is associated with adverse outcomes such as water pollution, environmental degradation, ecological disturbance, and general environmental pollution. There is a paucity of literature that specifically targets the effects of illegal small-scale mining on public health. This study seeks to explore the consequences of small-scale mining as a public health issue and offer health advice to policymakers towards mitigating this menace. This study seeks to examine the consequences of illegal small-scale mining and the public health implications for Ghanaians. Various factors account for the menace of illegal gold mining in Ghana, including lack of effective laws, unemployment for young Ghanaians, and collusion between power players such as politicians, law enforcement agents, unscrupulous businesspeople, and traditional chiefs. Illegal mining negatively affects the water bodies, farmlands, and the ecosystem resulting in negative health outcomes for Ghanaians in the affected areas. A concerted effort by the government, non-governmental agencies, traditional leaders, and the general Ghanaian population is needed to address the problem.

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Apr 15th, 12:00 PM

Illegal Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana: A Public health Perspective.

Poster - Textual or Investigative

Illegal small-scale mining popularly called “galamsey” in Ghana involves the practice of illicit mining and extracting gold from the surface or below the soil usually through unregulated methods such as the use of dangerous chemicals. Though this practice has been a major source of livelihood for many rural families in Ghana, it is associated with adverse outcomes such as water pollution, environmental degradation, ecological disturbance, and general environmental pollution. There is a paucity of literature that specifically targets the effects of illegal small-scale mining on public health. This study seeks to explore the consequences of small-scale mining as a public health issue and offer health advice to policymakers towards mitigating this menace. This study seeks to examine the consequences of illegal small-scale mining and the public health implications for Ghanaians. Various factors account for the menace of illegal gold mining in Ghana, including lack of effective laws, unemployment for young Ghanaians, and collusion between power players such as politicians, law enforcement agents, unscrupulous businesspeople, and traditional chiefs. Illegal mining negatively affects the water bodies, farmlands, and the ecosystem resulting in negative health outcomes for Ghanaians in the affected areas. A concerted effort by the government, non-governmental agencies, traditional leaders, and the general Ghanaian population is needed to address the problem.

 

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